ACC Celebrated its 130th year in 2003.

• Link: "Pioneer History - Church of Christ & Christian Churches in the Northwest" (Links to Athena Christian Church and includes several photos.) By Dr. Charles Dailey.
• History Book Now Available

Founding Families, Former Ministers Join ACC for Heritage Sunday 2003

On August 10, 2003, joyful greetings and happy sharing of memories rang through the halls of the building to the accompaniment of the pealing of the 115-year-old church bell. About 180 celebrants gathered to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the congregation’s buildings and to honor the hardy pioneers whose faith brought about the birth of ACC in 1873.

Worshipers filled the main auditorium and spilled over into the balcony during the 9:30 praise service Sunday morning. Numerous descendants of ACC’s founders, J. R. and Nancy Gerking, were present. Also among the guests were speaker Paul Moore, Jr. (son of Paul Moore, Sr., ACC minister 1937-60) and his wife Myra, and former ACC ministers Doug and Marge Priest (1960-64), Doug and B. J. Collins (1978-80) and Bob and Vicki Adams (1989-93). Several former members and other friends also joined us during the day.

A seven-member music team, headed by current ACC minister Delbert Durfee, led the congregation in praise songs and beloved hymns, and elders Terry Calvert and Dennis Jones presented meditations on the topics of heritage and identity at stewardship and Communion time.During the service former ministers and their families were recognized for service at ACC.

At the conclusion of the service, guests were invited to participate in a self-guided tour of the grounds while busy crews set up for a picnic at the city park. Many who stayed at the building enjoyed viewing the church record books, artifacts and informational scrapbooks that had been created and placed on display in the church basement by Deborah Johns and Kayla Durfee, ACC’s research historians. Available for purchase during the weekend was their new congregational history book, "Christians on Wildhorse Creek".

At noon, meal organizer Kate Ward announced that the crispy fried chicken, homemade buttermilk biscuits, and delicious array of salads and melons were all in place. After Pastor Durfee’s prayer of thanks, hearty appetites were soon appeased. For the next few hours the city park was abuzz with conversation as home folks greeted friends, new and old. Good food and fellowship were enjoyed by all. Fluffy clouds chased each other across the sky and a fine summer breeze kept picnickers from becoming too hot under the August sun.

Emcee Doug Priest, Sr., took charge of the afternoon’s “Remember When” time of sharing. A pleasant hour passed as special memories were retold by various folks. Several congratulatory letters from special friends who were unable to attend were read.

The afternoon was topped off with delicious ice cream sundaes served by Terry and Cyndi Calvert and Kate Ward, compliments of the Young Disciples junior high youth group.

Our special guests for the day were two descendants of Michael Boly, the first Christian church evangelist to deliver a sermon in Umatilla county, and more than 50 descendants of Jonathan R. and Nancy Gerking, ACC’s founders.

In 2001, when plans for the church celebration had scarcely begun, Gerking family member Paula Beck visited ACC seeking records of her ancestors’ involvement in the congregation during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Her visit prompted Kayla Durfee to contact Beth Johnston of the Gerking Family Association to invite the family to the 2003 Heritage Day celebration. The second weekend of August was chosen to coincide with the annual Gerking Family Reunion, which hadn’t been held in Athena for many years.

ACC’s Heritage Day, 130 years in the making and 2 1\2 years in the planning, was judged a resounding success. Acquaintances were forged, friendships renewed, and God was praised. The heritage of faith passed down from our forefathers through six generations was gratefully acknowledged and joyfully celebrated. May Athena Christian Church continue to remember and live that faith for at least another 130 years — or until our Lord Jesus Christ returns to help us celebrate the grandest “Heritage Day” reunion of all time.